The Hodgman Liberal government must rethink their decision to impose a public sector wage freeze counter to last year’s agreement, or take responsibility for any disruption to community services that may occur due to potential industrial action, said Greens Leader and Treasury spokesperson Kim Booth MP.
“Nobody swallows the Treasurer’s line that it is for the good of public sector workers that he is breaking a good faith negotiated agreement with public sector workers,” Mr Booth said.
“This is a cynical move to scapegoat the public sector and make them the convenient ‘fall guy’ while the Liberals proceed with their irresponsible big-spending election promises.”
“Clearly the Liberals are relying upon a community backlash against the public sector should our nurses, educators and other public service workers resort to industrial action over the Liberals’ breach of last year’s agreement.”
“Once again we are seeing the ugly sight of the Liberals deliberately seeking to divide the community and set people against each other to distract from their own deceitful and dishonourable actions, which is straight out of the Abbott-Hockey-Abetz playbook.”
“Will Hodgman and Peter Gutwein need to accept responsibility for any disruption that potential industrial action may have for services, as it is their sleight of hand which will have inflicted that outcome upon the community,” Mr Booth said.